January/February 2022

News from the Principal

I know we are officially in week 5, but I just want to take this chance to welcome everyone back for the 2022 school year.  I am grateful and really appreciative of all or our families who helped our school community during the extended holiday/supervision 2 weeks.  This was not easy for you, but your help and assistance during this time ensured we were able to prepare for the term in a safe manner.

It has been really exciting and positive to see all of our students return to school over the last 2 weeks.  From the outset, I am amazed at how resilient and positive all of our students have been.  They have all returned to school and got back to learning in a fun and positive manner – so to all of our students well done.

A massive thank you to the awesome people who make up the Rosella Park School staffing team.  All of you have been hard at work during the first 4 weeks and the Pupil Free Weeks.  Despite all the challenges that have so far been dished up, I am so proud of all of you for your hard work and dedication to ensure we were ready at the start of week 3 to make our students transition back into school a successful one – to all of the staff can I again thank you.  As a collective you make Rosella Park School an amazing school that is student focused.

COVID19 Protocols

COVID isn’t going anywhere so it is imperative that we keep up to date with all the latest news regarding schools and COVID.  Below is a department link that families can click to keep up to date.  I encourage all families to check this regularly.

https://qed.qld.gov.au/covid19

Current protocols require any student or staff who is unwell and displaying COVID symptoms to stay at home until they are feeling well and symptom free.  Any staff or students who present with COVID symptoms will be required to go home immediately – school will provide a RAT test that can be administered at home.  You help and support with this process is greatly appreciated.

I will be sending emails and DOJO posts on any days we are notified of any positive COVID cases.  This will allow us all to be COVID ready and respond by checking for any symptoms.

New Building

As you can see the new building is coming along nicely.  I was lucky enough to have a bit of a tour during the pupil free days – already it is really impressive and I know we all can not wait until it is ready.

The next few weeks will be just as busy as the first two weeks – but I am super excited to see what amazing things are happening in the classrooms and around the school.

Until our next newsletter, please take care and remember, if you wish to seek any information or need to catch up, please do not hesitate to contact the school to make an appointment.  I will do my best to ensure we can meet up in a timely manner.

Cheers

Mr Geoff

News from Administration

Student Media Consent Forms

A Media Consent form was sent home for your student at the end of last year with the report cards. This form gives the school permissions (or not) to use your student's name and photo in our newsletters, website, etc. If you have not returned the signed student media consent form can you please do so as soon as possible. If you have misplaced your form, please let the school know to send you a new one.

Trampoline Permission Forms

Could you please return your signed trampoline permission form for your student if you have not already done so. If you need a replacement form, please contact the school office on 49768333. Unless we have the permission form on file, your student is unable to participate.

School Photos for 2022

Due to COVID causing the late start to the school year, the earliest the school photographer can fit us in is Tuesday 7th June. All information regarding payment etc. will be sent home in plenty of time prior to the photo date.

Student Absences

Please remember if your child is going to be absent from school for any reason please ring 49768333 and leave a message on the absentee line or reply to the SMS message. This will not only avoid a letter home to explain the absence but also avoid it being recorded as unexplained on your child's report card.

Late Arrivals and Early Departures

A reminder that all students arriving late must be escorted into the school office and signed in at the front desk. Also any student leaving early must be signed out of the school grounds.

Accounts

Please pay any outstanding accounts either by using BPoint or come in to the school office and pay at the counter.

School Immunisation Program

Once again the Organisational Health team at Gladstone Regional Council will be running the School Immunisation Program for eligible Year 7 and Year 10 students. The vaccines offered in the Queensland School Immunisation Program are for Year 7 students Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Diphteria-Tetanus-Pertussis (dTpa) and for Year 10 students Meningococcal ACWY.

Room 1 - Junior 2 -Mrs Thomas

This term Room 1 have spent the first couple of weeks settling in and getting used to new routines. The students have been learning about safety, rules and how to keep well and fit in Health lessons. They are also learning about places they can be physically active. In Maths they are learning about graphing, collecting data and patterns. In English they are learning about concepts of print, letters and sounds. Some students have begun learning sight words and putting their sounds together to sound out words. In Science Room 1 learners are exploring and investigating the properties of different materials for e.g. wood, plastic, fabric, paper, cardboard and so on. Technology is with Miss Dana and students are using puppets and doing coding. If you can email the child information sheet with the goals and information regarding your student that I have previously requested by Friday this week it would be greatly appreciated.

Room 1

Room 1.5 - Junior 4 - Mrs Coulston

Hello and welcome to a new year.  We in room 1.5 are very excited to begin our learning for the new school year.  Miss Kerrie is the Teacher Aide for our room and is assisted by Miss Di and Miss Leah as our floating TA’s. I am called Miss Judy and our students are Khiann, Lincoln and Ned. So far this year we have been establishing routines, developing relationships and enjoying our time at school. We have much to explore and learn so this semester we will be making discoveries within all subject areas. I am hoping to stimulate the student’s natural curiosity about things to direct their learning. This means they will explore stories, movement activities, games, toys, and environments that peak their interest. Stay tuned to find out what we discover throughout this semester.

Room 1.5

Room 2 - Junior 1 - Mrs Williams

Hi everyone,

Welcome to our first Newsletter of 2022! Room 2 have enthusiastically settled into the class routine and are enjoying participating in a range of learning activities including our outside movement breaks. This Semester we will be exploring the subjects of English, Mathematics, Science and HPE. During these lessons we will provide a variety of engaging materials to encourage student involvement and participation. Room 2 are very lucky to have Miss Laureen (5) days per week as their Teacher Aide this year. In the next few weeks you will receive a letter to make a time to discuss your child’s ICP for Semester 1.  I look forward to catching up with you all then. 

Thank you

Michelle W and Laureen

Room 3 - Junior 3 - Mrs Hayne

Welcome to the new school year. It is so nice to see the students in Room 3 settling well into the class and school routine. We have been exploring the different areas of the school and having opportunities to play and learn in these spaces. The students have enjoyed the book of the week, the  songs for the letters of the week and to practice counting with Help Kidz Learn. Every week we have an opportunity to mix with our cohort peers in HPE to practice playing safely which has been a lot of fun. Room 3 have welcomed new teacher aides across the school week with Miss Julie, Miss Jess, Miss Di and Miss Leah helping us to learn and adjust to school.  

Room 4 - Intermediate 4 - Ms Atkins

Room 4 students have had a fantastic 2 weeks settling into our classroom. We have completed our testing for literacy and are hard at work during comprehensive literacy time reading, writing and working with letters and words. In mathematics, we have conducted a guided exploration into mearsurement. We explored our height and weight. During HPE we are currently working on where in the school is a safe place to play. We have created a poster of all the locations around the school and we can't wait to explore each of them in detail. In science lessons, students have been looking at their senses. Homework folders will go home for the first time on 22/2/22 so make sure you check students bags for them. We can't wait for an exciting year in Room 4.

Room 5 - Intermediate 2 - Mrs Nash

Welcome to all Room 5 families, thank you to everyone for being understanding during this time both returning and new.  We are looking forward to an exciting and adventurous year.  Room 5 students have been amazing over the last few weeks; working with various relief staff while I have been Acting Head of Curriculum.  Our  Room 5 teacher aides have done an amazing job ensuring the transition has been smooth.

This first semester will have us participating in the curriculum areas of English, Math, Science, HPE and Design and Digital Technology.  Over the next few weeks you will receive a copy of your child’s ICP for you to read over.  Please keep a look out in your communication books for this.

On a personal note, we celebrated Dang's birthday with a yummy cake ... happy birthday Dang.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me via Class Dojo, email or call the school.

Thank you

Joan

Room 6 - Senior 4 - Mrs Buckle

Welcome back to Rosella everyone for 2022.

Room 6 is working hard in getting to know everyone.  We have found that most of the students prefer to write their stories on an iPad for story writing.  We have learnt that most students are loving their puppet making with Mrs Thornton, even if they have to start with a wooden spoon puppet first. Everyone is keen on sharing how we can look after ourselves for Health.  We love movement breaks to keep our brain refreshed for learning.  We like sharing a story and discussing it. We made up our list of our Room 6 classroom rules that we want to work by for this year. Everyone contributed to what they thought were good ideas. We asked the students what they were looking forward to improving with their learning for 2022, and these were their responses. 

Carlo- I want to have free time by working first.

Riley- I would like to earn a Kermit the Frog puppet.

Tyler- I want to have a very good year.

Blake- I want to do more cooking and make puppets.

Rory- I want to do Maths at school so I can count all the pocket money I will be earning this year.

And we the staff of Room 6 hope to develop more independence in the students’ learning and improve their self-regulation skills.

Room 8 - Intermediate 3 - Mrs Maguire

Welcome to 2022!! Despite such a mixed-up and confusing start to the year, room 8 is finally coming together.  I am very excited to have such a fabulous group of students this year. In literacy this semester students will be focusing on comprehension with students responding to class texts, exploring texts with some fun and exciting twists along the way. This week students have been working on a book about pizza created their own book and sharing information from the book to create their own recipe to cook Friday. They are very excited about the folders they are creating with their work displayed. They will take them home in four weeks to show you just how hard they have been working. Know that we all are going to have a great year.

Room 9 - Intermediate 1 - Mrs Pointon

Hi everyone,

My name is Kaylene Pointon. I am known in the classroom as Mrs P. I tarted last week as the class teacher for Room 9 and will be with Rosella Park School for Semester 1.

I recently moved back to Queensland from Victoria and live with my dog and cat. All my family are from the Gladstone district. I have two grown children and a granddaughter.

For the past week I have been getting to know my students and what a lovely bunch they are. This term we will be working on literacy and maths and towards the end of term 1; introducing science and HPE.  Starting this Friday, we will utilise the kitchen cooking morning tea for the students. They will have the pleasure of a Mrs P style pizza.

I am yet to be connected to DOJO however, I am happy to communicate with parents and carers as needed. You can utilise the student communication book or email me if you prefer at kppoi0@eq.edu.au.  Please feel free to contact me just to introduce yourself or if you wish to  discuss your child’s work / progress.

Kaylene

Room 10 - Senior 1 - Mrs Bickle

Room 10 is off like a rocket. 

We have settled into classroom routine and are starting to work as a team. We are becoming familiar with our goals and developing our understanding and knowledge.

We will be posting messages on Dojo to let you know about classroom goings-on.

Room 11 - Senior 2 - Miss Harris

Hello Everyone!

What a great start to the year we have had in Room 11. 

Students have returned to school wearing full school uniform including their 'ready to learn' attitude.  This year we are focussing a lot on respect; which includes respecting ourselves by giving ourselves the best chance to learn. Students have done this by following directions, asking for help and explaining to staff what they need to help them achieve. 

We have found we need a few movement breaks in room 11; as well as some social time; so that we can concentrate when it is work time. 

I am learning some new soccer skills and hand ball skills from the students. 

We are also learning a lot about chocolate as we read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and do some cooking activities using chocolate. We have tried coating some different foods in chocolate and seeing what it tastes like. If you want these students to eat more tomatoes it turns out the trick is to dip them in white chocolate first! I recommend you try this too if you dare !!!

Looking forward to more adventures and experiments to come.

If you have any questions or concerns let me know. 

Miss Harris. 

Room 12 - Senior 3 - Mrs Ward

Welcome to Room 12 Senior 3

I would like to welcome Shontae, Sami, Beau and Dylan to the class. I would also like to welcome to the teaching team Lin and Anet.

It has been a great start to the year with the class creating their own classroom rules and revising the PBL school rules. The first day the students walked into the classroom wearing full school uniform, I could see they were going to be great role models for the school 😊

The students are trying very hard to be respectful, positive and safe both in and out of the classroom.

We have already celebrated two birthdays. Sami turned 13 and Miss Lin got another year older 😊 No more birthdays until June.

I strongly believe that communication is important to your child’s growth and education so it is vital that we to establish a communication channel between us. I encourage you to check the communication book on a daily basis and although I do not expect a daily reply to my messages I would appreciate it if you could initial the appropriate box so I know that you’ve read the message. I appreciate Dojo messages to let me know that your child will be late or away, however remember to contact the office as well.

If you wish to meet with me to discuss your child’s progress, view their work or discuss sensitive matters please let me know through the communication book, contact me on the school number 49768333 or via email kward91@eq.edu.au

Room 13 - Senior 3 - Mrs Dunstan

Welcome Room 13, 2022.

It was lovely to see some familiar faces in Room 13 and even better to welcome some new students to our class.

Sadly, the late start to the school year did not meant that we could avoid diagnostic testing. It is pretty much out of the way now - so let the fun begin.

Just an example to the creativity going on in Design & Technology.

We can't wait to begin our chemical science experiments.

Room 14 - Transition 1 - Mr Pallett

A very warm welcome to the first term of 2022 to all parents, carers and friends of Room 14 students. I have very much enjoyed getting to know all my new class and I believe we have made an excellent start to our Year 11 studies. 

It was unfortunate that we were not able to have face-to-face learning during the first two weeks of the school year; I was very impressed by the attitude shown by students who were studying at home on work provided by email, by those who had their work provided on paper and by those who came to work onsite during the remote learning week. I would also like to express my gratitude for the hard work done by parents, carers and other adults in what was a far from ideal situation. 

Since the return to campus at the beginning of Week 3, we have been very busy in Room 14. Our programme is rather different to what students are have been used to during the rest of their time at school. The focus of transition studies in Years 11 and 12 is very much on preparation for life outside school – the world of work, of adulthood, of learning to take greater responsibility for your own choices. Instead of more traditional subjects like History and Geography, Room 14 students have focused on being active citizens, on making decisions about their physical health and on the use of technology in the wider community. This is not to neglect more basic learning areas and we still have lessons in Mathematics and English; we have been working on our understanding of time and on our writing skills, such as using proper punctuation and capital letters. 

One area that is completely new for some Year 11 students is the Certificate 1 course in Access to Vocational Learning. This is a two year course provided by the School of Distance Education in Brisbane that will lead to a nationally recognised qualification at the end of 2023. We have three 70 minute lessons a week (Monday, Tuesday and Thursday) online with Miss Jill and we have already started our first piece of assessment work. I have been very impressed with the way the students have adapted to the demands of this course. 

Room 14 students have already started work on their recycling programme with Miss Ellie… 

Room 15 - Transition 2 - Mrs Leeson

Welcome back to another exciting year. Can you believe that your young ones are in year 12 and getting ready to join the world beyond school? We have our fingers crossed that the COVID restrictions are lifted soon so we can head out into the community. In Active Citizenship we are busy planning a Clean Up Australia event here at school. We will be cleaning up around our school grounds and hosting a free dress day to raise funds for the Clean Up Australia organisation. The students have been busy making posters to hang around the school. Abbey collected rubbish from around the eating area to demonstrate what is lurking in our school grounds. Great job Abbey. We hope to have our Excursion Planner completed this week so permission letters will go out next week. If all goes well we will head into the community early March. Our first visit will be to APM to discuss how they can help us get a job when we leave school. As part of our Tuckshop/Café and Room 15 Literacy programs we have taken on the school garden. We hope to grow our own produce to use in our cooking. Zach and Artemis have been busy weeding. With the help of Abbey and Alex, they will write letters to Bunnings asking for donations and make signs and posters for our garden. Keep an eye on class Dojo as we post photos to keep  you up to date on progress.

Community News